UAPB vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in Pine Bluff, AR with Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, OK on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northeastern State University is larger than UAPB based on total student enrollment (6,751 students vs. 2,005 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is located in Pine Bluff, AR (Small City setting); Northeastern State University is in Tahlequah, OK (Remote Town setting).
• University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northeastern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 12:1; Northeastern State University 16:1.

UAPB vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UAPB or NSU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff than NSU ($12,373 vs. $12,410).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff are 17.3% lower than at Northeastern State University ($9,194 vs. $11,120).
• University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is 20.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $1,602 more per year; $9,412.00 vs. $7,810.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.1% higher at UAPB than at Northeastern State University (about $702 more per year; $17,992.00 vs. $17,290.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff than at Northeastern State University (96% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff students is 22.4% larger than aid received by Northeastern State University students ($10,883 vs. $8,893).

UAPB vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UAPB or NSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between NSU and UAPB.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northeastern State University (1000) is 20 points higher than at UAPB (980).
• Incoming NSU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 16 at UAPB).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 845/1108; Northeastern State University 866/1136.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 14/18; Northeastern State University 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UAPB - Required; NSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.59 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at UAPB (2.9).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (99.6%) than UAPB (41.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.1% at UAPB vs. 39% at NSU.

UAPB vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UAPB and NSU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Northeastern State University's six-year graduation rate (26%) is higher than University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff's (23%).
• Graduates from Northeastern State University earn a median of about $10,000 more per year than UAPB graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,200 vs. $30,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northeastern State University graduates have a $8,748 lower median loan debt than UAPB graduates ($18,000 vs. $26,748).
• Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $90 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UAPB graduates ($186 vs. $276).
• More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UAPB students, three years after graduation. (48% vs. 30%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.